Method of and apparatus for sealing and supporting closures



Nov. 17, 19421.

R. MARPLE ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING AND SUPPORTING CLOSURES 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed Jan. 1'7, 1938 T R Wm I A a 5% Y B Patented Nov. 17, 1942 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING AND SUPPORTING CLOSURES Rollo Marple, Jackson, and Max Eek, Hastings, Mich., assignors to Hancock Manufacturing Company, Jackson, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application January 17, 1938, Serial No. 185,376

I 15 Claims.

The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for sealing a joint between a closure or door and its associated member, as well as for forming a supporting or anti-rattling connection therebetween.

It will be appreciated from a complete understanding of the present invention that the improvements thereof may be practiced in widely differing forms and for widely differing purposes. By way of illustration but not of limitation, the invention is herein specifically disclosed, in one embodiment, as applied to the doors of an automobile, and, in another embodiment, as applied to the door of a refrigerator.

It has long been the practice to provide rubber bumpers or stops for cooperation between an automobile door and its associated door pillar or other frame structure, which are adapted to be somewhat compressed when the door is moved to the fully locked position, and so yieldingly well as an anti-rattling effect. The sealing effect is becoming of increasing importance, due to the present tendency to provide automobiles with socalled air conditioning equipment.

In connection with refrigerator doors, it has long been the practice to provide either the door or the door frame with a resilient sealing strip, adapted to be slightly compressed during the movement of the door to the fully closed position, so as to afford a substantially air-tight seal between the door and the frame.

It has been found that a sealing arrangement which is effective to provide a substantially airtight seal in the case of refrigerator doors and the like, or is effective to both provide a seal and prevent rattling in the case of automobile doors or the like, has, on the other hand, the

objectionable effect of making it difficult to move the associated door to the fully closed position.

With the above as well as other considerations in view, the primary objects of the present invention are to provide an improved method of and apparatus for sealing a joint between a closure and its associated member, characterized in that the sealing means may be collapsed or retracted until such a time as the associated closure is moved to the fully closed position, and thereafter may be expanded or projected to form a tight seal and also to support the closure; to provide such a method and arrangement characterized in that the sealing means includes a collapsible and expansible tube extending around the closure, in combination with selectively actuable means to effect the expansion and collapse thereof; to provide such an arrangement in which the expansion and collapse may be controlled by the opening and closing movements of the closure; to provide such an arrangement in which, as applied to automobiles or the like, the expansion and collapse of the sealing means may also be controlled in accordance with the operation of the automobile; and to provide, in general, a sealing and supporting arrangement for closures which is simple in construction, economical of manufacture, may be readily installed, and is durable and efficient in operation.

With the above as well as more detailed objects in View, which appear in the following description and in the appended claims, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an illustrative embodiment of the invention as applied to the door of an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of suitable valve actuating mechanism which may be utilized with the construction of Fig 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed View in horizontal section, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal section, taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1, but with the door incompletely closed;

Fig. 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the fluid circuits preferably utilized with the structure of Figs. 1 through 5;

Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal section of a modified construction of the sealing tube;

Fig. 8 is a view in section of a modified valve construction;

Fig. 9 is a View in front elevation of an embodiment of the invention in a refrlgerator'door;

Fig. 10 is a View in horizontal section, taken along the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view in horizontal section, taken along the line l|l of Fig. 9;.

Fig. 12 is a view taken along the line l2-l2 of Fig. 10; and

Figs. 13 and 14 are fragmentary views in horizontal section of further modifications of the invention.

Referring first to the arrangement of Figs. 1

through 5, the illustrative vehicle 28 is provided with the usual doors 22 and 24, at one side thereof, which are hinged at the respectively rear and front edges 22a and Z ta. thereof and are provided with the usual locking devices represented by the handles and 23 to retain them in the fully closed position.

In accordance with the present invention, the usual sealing arrangement between the doors 22 and 24 and the associated frame members of the i;

vehicle 23 may be eliminated, and replaced by the tubular sealing members 39 and 32 (Fig. 3) The tubular sealing member 33 is associated with the door 22, and the tubular sealing member is associated with the door 24. It will be appreciated that the seals 55 and 32 are formed to extend completely around the associated door opening and that, when the associated door is fully closed, they are engaged and compressed, so as to form a tight seal, by the flanges of the associated doors 22b and 2%. The doors at the opposite side of the vehicle are, of course, similarly equipped.

Within the broader aspects of the present invention, the tubular seals 35 and 32 may be constructed in various ways. As specifically shown in Fig. 3, each seal is formed as a continuous tube, having a thickened base portion such as 35a, provided with grooves or recesses 5% at the sides thereof to receive the flanges Eda of the associated backing member 3d, and provided with a relatively thin outer casing portion 550. The associated backing member 34 is directly secured to the outer face of the associated door opening, this supporting relation being clearly shown in Fig. 3, in which the member 55 is the door pillar which extends between the two doors 22 and 2 3.

In order to effect th expansion of the tubular seals such as 30 and 32, it is preferred to provide the vehicle with a suitable source of compressed air or its equivalent. This mechanism is diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 1, as including a suitable compressor 453, a motor 42 or the like for driving the compressor, a suitable accumulator M, and conventional relief valve mechanism indicated by the reference character 45. The quantity of air required for the seals for all of the doors associated with a vehicle is relatively small and the accumulator 45 may readily be made 2 large enough to accommodate a substantial surplus quantity of air. With this arrangement, the compressor is required to operate only intermittently. Preferably and as illustrated the mo tor 4-2 i provided with a conventional pressure operated switch 43, which functions, as will be understood, to start the motor whenever the pressure in the accumulator M falls below a set valve and to stop the motor as soon as the pressure again reaches the normal value. The check valve is, as will be understood, is set to open at slightly above the just mentioned normal pressure, and so prevents building up of an excessive pressure within the seals 30 and 32.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, the accumulator 4a is provided with a suitable outlet line 48, provided with a plurality of branches 5% arranged in parallel with each other, and which lead to the sealing tubes such as 39 and 32, associated with the several doors of the vehicle. A main control valve 52, described below, is interposed in the main supply line at. Each sealing tube is provided with a suitable inlet 54, described below, and is also provided with a suitable relief valve 55, also described below. With this arrangement, it will be appreciated that so lon as the main control valve 52 is in the open position, the accumulator 44 is effective to supply air at suitable pressure to the several sealing tubes, through the inlets 5 1. Closure of the main control 52 serves to trap the air within the sealing tube 3!) and 32 and so retain them in the expanded condition. As described below, the relief valves 5'6 are arranged to be opened when the corresponding door is opened, and serve to exhaust or collapse all of the sealing tubes associated with the several doors, and so permits these doors to be readily closed While the tubes are in the collapsed position.

It is preferred to arrange the main control valve 52, so that it is open when the vehicle is at rest, or is in normal forward operation, but to provide means readily controllable by the operator to close the valve 52. A preferred arrangement for accomplishing this is shown in Fig. 2, in which the valve 52 is illustrated as comprising a valve body 5211 and a valve plunger 52?) provided with a valve recess 520. With the parts as shown in Fig. 2, the recess 52c registers with a recess 52d formed in the valve body, and provides communication between the two portions of the fluid supply line 48. The valve 52 is suitably secured to the side of the vehicle transmission 55, and the push rod 521) is provided with a laterally extending arm 62, which is disposed in the path of an extension 63 on the usual gear shift rod 5 5. The arrangement is thus one in which actuation of the gear shift lever 65 to any one of the forward operating or neutral positions permits the centering spring 68 to move the push rod 52?) to the open position shown in Fig. 2. Actuation of the gear shift lever 56 to the reverse position, on the other hand, moves the push rod 52b to a position in which the recess 520 is out of registry with the recess 52d, thus closing off the connection between the two portions of the line 48.

'Each previously mentioned inlet 54 is preferably constructed as shown in detail in Fig. 5, and comprises a tubular member HI, having a bore 72 therethrough, and having an enlarged head 14, which pass-es through and overlaps the base 32a of the associated sealing strip. The member 10 is secured to the associated door opening 3'! by means of the lock nut 16. Lock nut 16 also serves to form a tight seal between the enlarged head 14 and the sealing strip. The tubular member 15 is jointed to the previously mentioned supply line 50 through a connection comprising an outer sleeve which is threaded onto an inner member 82. The inner portions of the members '80 and 82 abut, respectively, the outwardly flared ends 84 and 86 of the tubular member 10 and the supply line 50, and these flanges are retained in spaced relation by a suitable gasket 38. It will be appreciated that by threading the member 80 onto the member 82, the tubular member 10 and the supply line 53 are forced into sealing relation to the gasket 88.

The previously mention-ed relief valves 56 are preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 4, and comprise a valve plunger 98, having an enlarged rounded head 92, adapted to bear against the outer casing 32b of the associated seal 32. The plunger 90 is provided With an axial bore 94 and a radial bore 96.

The valve plunger 95 is slidably received in a nipple 9B, which is similar in construction to the previously mentioned nipple l0 and extends through the base of the associated seal. The

outer end of the nipple 08 is provided with ex ternal threads, through which it is connected into a tubular body I00. The extreme end of the plunger 90 is slidably received in a supplemental valve body I02, which is slidably supported in the previously mentioned body I00. The valve body I02 has a flange I04 at its outer end, and is provided with a suitable valve I06 at its inner end. The valve I06 is adapted to seat upon and selectively open or close an exhaust port I08 formed in the body I00. A compression spring IIO surrounds the supplemental valve member I02,'and is seated between the previously mentioned flange I04 and a shoulder I'I2 formed in the body I00. An additional spring 4 is seated vi between the end of the valve plunger 90 and the base of the central bore of the supplemental valve member I02.

With this relation of the parts, it will be appreciated that the springs H2 and H4 normally retain the parts in the positions shown, in which the enlarged head 92 of the valve plunge-r bears against the outer casing 32c of the'seal and in which the interior of the seal is in direct communication with the exhaust port I08 through the previously mentioned radial and axial bores 96 and 94, and through the body of the supplemental valve member I02. If the door 24 associated with the seal 32 is closed, the flange 24!) thereof moves into engagement with the plunger head 92, and forces the plunger .90 inwardly to a position in which the radial port 96 is enclosed. The inward movement of the plunger 90 is imparted to the supplemental valve I02 through the heavier spring I I4. This movement occurs against l the force of the spring I I2, and ultimately brings the valve I06 into seating relation with the port I08, closing off the latter.

Considering the operation of the above described arrangement as a whole, it will be appreciated that when all of the doors of the vehicle are closed, all of the relief valves 56 associated therewith are correspondingly closed, due to the compressed condition of the plungers 90 thereof.

If any one of the doors is opened, the correspondof the sealing tubes associated with all of the doors of the vehicle. The just mentioned open door, as well as any subsequently opened one of the doors, may accordingly be readily reclosed. since the corresponding seals yield readily during the closing movement. The proportioning of the seal is preferably such, however, that even when collapsed, they form a sufiicient seal with the door to minimize drafts and the entrance of dust or other foreign material.

As previously mentioned, the motor 42 for the compressor is automatically controlled so as to maintain a substantially uniform pressure in the accumulator 44. Also, the accumulator 44 is preferably proportioned to accumulate a sufficient quantity of air to accommodate a number of successive opening and closing movements of the doors. Accordingly, a sufficient supply of compressed air is continuously available to expand the tubes, and, as soon as all doors are reclosed, the seals thereof are expanded. The pressure within the seals is so adjusted as to force the tubular seals into tightsealing relation with the associated door flanges, and, at the same time, to effectively but yieldably prevent any rattling'of the associated door. It is thus'seen that the present sealing elements, in addition to perserve to provide a relatively air-tight seal between the door and the door opening. The herein disclosed constructions are advantageous in respect to each, as well as both of, the just mentioned functions, and in the claims, accordingly, the terms sealing element, seal, or the like are employed in a generic sense as comprehending either or both of such functions.

If the gear shift lever is moved into reverse position, following the just described expanding operation of the seals, but before any door is opened, such movement of the gear shift lever serves to close the main control valve 52. This action traps the previously supplied air within the tubular seals, thus retaining the seals in the expanded position. The opening of any door, as previously mentioned, permits all of the seals to collapse, the re-expansion thereof being dependent upon a subsequent operation of the gear shift lever to neutral or one of the forward positions.

With the foregoing arrangement, it will be appreciated that at any time that the vehicle is in operation, with all of the doors closed, all of the doors are tightly sealed and held against rattling. The opening of any door, on the other hand, collapses all of the seals, permitting it and any other subsequently opened door to be reclosed without substantial obstruction from the seals.

In the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 7, the backing member I20, by which the seal I22 is secured to the associated door opening, is completely concealed within the associated seal. To this end, the seal is provided with a recess I24 in the base thereof, and is also provided with inwardly presenting recesses I26, which receive the flanges I28 of the backing member I20. In all other respects, the arrangement of Fig. '7 may correspondto the previously described arrangement.

The arrangement of Fig. 8 is advantageous, Where it is desired that the opening of a particular door shall exhaust the sealing member for only that door, without altering the expanded condition of the sealing members associated with the other doors. In Fig. 8, each sealing tube 30, which may correspond structurally to the previously described sealing tube 30, except as noted below, is provided with a main control valve I30, instead of the valve 56 and the inlet 54. The outlet I32 of the valve I30 is connected through a tube I34 with an inlet I 36, which may correspond in function to the previously described inlet 54. The inlet I38 of the valve I30 is suitably connected to a line 50 which may correspond in all respects to the previously described lines 50. The valve I30 is also provided with a suitable exhaust port I40 which communicates directly with the atmosphere.

The outlet I32 is arranged to be selectively connectible to either the inlet I38 or the exhaust port I40 by means of the valve plunger I42, which is slidable within a bore I44 provided in the valve body. The plunger I42 is provided 'with a portion I46 of reduced radius which is disposed to selectively register either with the exhaust port I40 and a communicating passage I48, or with the inlet I38 and the valve outlet passage I32. The passage I48 communicates directly with the outlet I 32 through a branch passage I50. The plunger I42 is normally retained in the exhaust position shown, by means of a compression spring I52,-wh'ich'surrounds the plunger and is seatedbetween' a shoulder I54 formed on the valve body and an enlargement I46 formed on the plunger. The plunger may, however, be moved to its opposite position by a bellcrank I56 which is pivotally connected to the valve body, and which is arranged for actuation by a plunger I58. The plunger I58 is provided with an enlarged head I60, disposed in the path of movement of the flange of the associated door. Preferably and as illustrated, the sealing tube 30' is formed to have two closed ends I62 and I64, which are slightly spaced from each other to accommodate the head I60. The plunger I58 is provided with a compression spring I66, which normally acts to retain it in the projected position shown.

The parts are shown in Fig. 8 with the associated door in the open position, in which the plunger IE8 is retained in the projected position by means of the spring I66 and the valve plunger I42 is retained in its exhaust position by the spring I52. With the latter plunger in the exhaust position, the interior of the seal 30 is in direct communication with the atmosphere through the line I30, the outlet passage I 32, branch passages I50 and I48, and the outlet passage I 40, The supply line 50' for the associated door is, however, closed by the plunger I42. Accordingly, the associated door 22 may be moved to the fully closed'position without substantial obstruction by the seal 30. During this closing movement of the door, the plunger I60 is engaged by the door flange, and is moved inwardly against the force of the associate compression spring I69. This inward movement of the plunger I58 rotates the bellcrank I56 about its pivot pin, and forces the plunger I42 inwardly of the valve body. Inward movement of the plunger I42 moves the portion of reduced radius I46 out of registry with the exhaust passage I48, thus closing off the exhaust line and moves the portion I46 into registry with the inlet passage I38. This action connects the interior of the seal 30 with the supply line 50, and causes a corresponding expansion of the tubular seal. An opening movement of the door 22 again releases the plunger I58, permitting the valve I30 to be restored to the illustrated position, exhausting the tubular seal. The movement. of the valve associated with the particular door is, however, effective to exhaust only the associated seal and does not affect the expanded or collapsed condition of the seal associated with the other doors. Except as described above, the arrangement and operation of the system as a whole, utilizing the valve of Fig. 8, corresponds to that described above.

Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 through 12, the door opening I80 or" the frame I82 of the illustrative refrigerator I84, is provided with a tubular sealing member I86, which is secured to and extends continuously therearound in the manner described with respect to the previously mentioned arrangements. The outer face of the seal I86 is disposed for engagement and compression by the rail member I88 of the door I90 of the refrigerator. 7

The admission to and venting of pressure from the tubular seal I86 is arranged for control by a valve I92 which corresponds generally to the previously described valve I30. Valve I92 is provided with an inlet passage I94, an outlet passage I96, and an exhaust passage I98. The inlet passage I94 is directly connected to a suitable supply line 200, which leads to the hereinafter described accumulator 202. The outlet I96 is connected through conduit 204 with a nipple 206connected into the tubular seal I86. The outlet passage I96 may be selectively connected to either the exhaust passage I98 or the inlet passage I94 by means of a plunger 208, having a portion 2I0 of reduced radius. The plunger 208 is slidable within the body of the valve I92, and is normally retained in an exhaust position in which the recess 2| 0 registers with the exhaust passage I98 by means of a compression spring 2I2 which is seated between the head 254 of the valve and a plug 2I6. The plunger 208 may be moved to and retained in the open position of the valve in which the recess 2I0 is in communication with the inlet I94 by a plunger bolt 2I8, the outer end of which engages the valve plunger 208 when the door is in the fully closed position.

The plunger bolt 2I8 is supplemental to and movable independently of a main latch bolt 220. The bolts 2I8 and 220 are slidably mounted Within a recess 222 provided therefor in the door I90,

and are retained in unit relation by a sleeve 224 or equivalent means, which is in turn secured to the casing 226 of the locking means. A pair of springs 228 and 230 cooperate with the bolts 2I8 and 220, respectively, to continuously urge them t the projected positions thereof. These springs are seated between the ends of the respective bolts and the casing 226 of the lock. The means for retracting the bolts 218 and 220 includes the two roll-back members 232 and 234, respectively, which are carried. upon a. suitable spindle 236. The spindle 236 projects outwardly of the door I and may be rotated by the usual door handle 238. The two roll-back members 232 and 234 are slightly angularly offset with respect to each other, the relation being such that the roll-back 232 becomes effective to retract the plunger bolt 2I8 prior to the time that, the roll-back 234 becomes elfective to retract the bolt 220. The purpose of this arrangement, as described below, is to ensure that the tubular seal I86 is deflated prior to the time that the latch bolt 220 is retracted, thereby minimizing the effort required to retract the bolt 220,

In a broad sense, the previously mentioned accumulator 202 may be supplied with air or equivalent fluid under pressure in any suitable way. Preferably, and as illustrated, the accumulator 282 is provided with a compressor 240 individual thereto, and a conventional relief valve mechanism 242 is connected between the accumulator and the compressor. Compressor 240 is illustrated as being driven by a motor 244, which also serves to drive the usual refrigeration unit 245 for the refrigerator.

Considering the operation of the system as a whole, it will be appreciated that, as in the case of the previously described embodiments, the volume of air or equivalent fluid required to supply the tubular seal I86 is relatively small, and the accumulator 202 may be made relatively large, so that it can accumulate sufficient fluid to supply the tubular seal during periods of inactivity of the motor 240. Each time the refrigeration unit 245 is placed in operation, the compressor 240 is correspondingly started and acts to recharge the accumulator 202 to the value for which the relief valve 242 is set. The accumulator 202may thus be regarded as continuously occupied by fluid under sufiicient pressure to cause effective operation of the tubular seal I86. As long as the refrigerator door I90 occupies the closed position, the plunger bolt 2I8 occupies the position shown in Fig. 10, in which it is effective To open the. refrigerator door, the spindle 236 may be rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 12.. This action. correspondingly rotates both of the roll-back members 232 and 234. The initial movement of the roll-back member 232 brings it into engagement with its associated abutment 246 on the plunger bolt 2I8, and causes a corresponding retracting movement of the latter. This retracting movement moves the nose of the plunger bolt 2I8 out of range of the valve plunger 208, permitting the latter to be moved to the exhaust position undertheinfiuence of the spring 2I2. The just mentioned plunger movement brings the recess ZIII thereof out of registry with the inlet passage I94 and into registry with the exhaust passage I98, correspondingly exhausting the. tubular seal I88. The consequent collapse of the tubular seal I88 relieves the previously existing pressure between the face of the latch bolt 220 and the keeper portion 248 of the door opening. Continued movement of the spindle 236 causes a further retracting movement of the plunger bolt 2I8 which is without effect, and also brings the roll-back member 234 into engagement with the abutment 250 formed on the latch bolt 220. Continued such movement retracts the latch bolt 220 and permits the door to be readily opened. Due to the release of pressure between the latch bolt and its keeper 248, the retracting movement of the bolt requires only a minimum of effort on the part of the operator.

In closing the door, both the plunger and latch bolt" H8 and 220 are cammed inwardly by the engagement thereof with the rounded outer face of the door opening. Due to the rounded form of the outer end of the plunger bolt 2I8 as well as the positioning with respect thereto of the valve plunger 208, it will be appreciated that the plunger bolt 2 I 8 does not actuate the valve plunger to the open position of the valve until after the nose of the latch bolt 2I8 passes beyond the outer face 248a of the keeper 248. As soon as this latter action has occurred, the spring 23!! associated with the latch bolt becomes effective to positively force the latch bolt 228 to the fully projected position. The spring 228 associated with the plunger bolt 2 I 8 is correspondingly effective to force the plunger bolt to the fully projected position and open the valve I92.

As clearly-appears in Fig. 11, the outer circumference of the tubular seal I86 may be and preferably is generally circular, the bore thereof being somewhat flattened, so as to allow for a thickened base portion I86. The seal member is provided with recesses I861) at the sides thereof, to receive the flanges I800. of the door opening. In the modified arrangement of Fig. 13, the door seal member I86 is of generally rectangular section, but is otherwise similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 11. In the arrangement shown. in Fig. 14, the tubular seal I86" is provided with a backing member 260 which may be assembled purely illustrative and that the invention, both as to method and as to apparatus, may be embodied in widely different forms and applied to widely different uses, within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a Vehicle closure and an associated member defining a closure opening, of an expansible and collapsible sealing element extending around the joint between said closure and said opening, means affording a source of fiuid pressure for expanding said element, means controlled in accordance with the position of the closure for controlling the connection of said element to said source, and means actuated as an incident to the operation of the vehicle for controlling said source.

2. The combination with a door and associated member defining a door opening of a vehicle having a gear shift lever, of a tubular member surrounding the door opening, a source of fluid pressure carried by said vehicle for expanding said tubular member, valve means controlled in accordance with the position of the door for controlling the effectiveness of said source, and additional valve means arranged for actuation by said gear shift lever for additionally controlling said source.

3. The combination with a door and an asso ciated member defining a door opening of a vehicle having a gear shift lever, of a tubular member surrounding the door opening, a source of fiuid pressure carried by said vehicle for expanding said tubular member, and valve means controlled in accordance'with the position of the door and of said gear shift lever for selectively connecting said tubular member to said source and to atmosphere.

4. The combination with a door and an associated member defining a door opening of a vehicle having a gear shift lever, of a tubular member surrounding the door opening, a source of fluid pressure carried by said vehicle for expanding said tubular member, valve means controlled in accordance with the position of the door for selectively connecting said tubular member to said source and to atmosphere, and means controlled in accordance with the position of saidgear shift lever for connecting said source to said valve means.

5. The combination in a refrigerator having a member defining a door and an associated door opening, a latching mechanism for said door and a. driving motor for actuating an associated refrigerator unit, of a tubular seal extending around said door and door opening and interposed therebetween, a source of fluid pressure for said tubular seal arranged for actuation by said motor, and valve means actuated by said latching mechanism for controlling the expansion and collapse of said element.

6. The combination in a refrigerator having a door and an associated member defining a door opening, a latching mechanism for said door, releasing means for said latching mechanism, and a driving motor for actuating an associated refrigerator unit, of a tubular seal extending around said door and door opening and interposed therebetween, a source of fiuid pressure for said tubular seal arranged for actuation by said motor, valve means for forming a connection between said source and said tubular seal, and an actuator for said valve means arranged for actuation with but prior to actuation of said latching means when said releasing means is operated to release said latching mechanism.

7. The combination with a door and an associated member defining a door opening of a vehicle, of a projectable and retractable element interposed between said door and said opening, means actuated as an incident to the operation of the vehicle for projecting said element, and means responsive to' an opening movement of said door for retracting said element.

8. The combination with a plurality of doors in a vehicle, each having a member defining an associated door opening, of a projectable and retractable element individual to each door and interposed between it and its associated opening, means responsive to the opening of any one of said doors for effecting the retraction of the element associated with another of said doors, and additional means for controlling the projection of said elements.

9. The combination with a plurality of doors of a vehicle, each having a member defining an associated door opening, of a projectable and retractable element individual to each door and interposed between it and its associated opening, means responsive to the opening of any one of said doors for effecting the retraction of the element associated with another of said doors, and means actuated as an incident to the operation of the vehicle for controlling the projection of said element.

10. The combination with a plurality of doors associated with the vehicle, each having means defining a door opening individual thereto, of a projectable and retractable element individual to each door and interposed between it and its door opening, means actuated as an incident to the operation of the vehicle for effecting the projection of all of said elements, and means responsive to the opening of any one of said doors for effecting the retraction of the corresponding element without, however, aflecting the elements associated with the other doors.

11. The combination with a door member and an associated member defining a door-opening, said door member having a portion which overlies and substantially conceals a portion of the other member when the door is closed, of a sealing element carried by one of said members and being expansible and collapsible under the influence of fluid pressure, said element being disposed when expanded to form a seal between said members, valve means carried by one of said members and disposed to control the application of fluid pressure to said element, and operating means for said valve means comprising a plunger disposed to project outwardly through said portion of said last mentioned one of said members, said plunger being disposed to be engaged and moved, by said portiton of the other of said members when the door is closed, to thereby actuate the valve means and being substantially concealed between said portions when the door is closed.

12. The combination with a door and an associated structure defining a door opening, said door having a portion which overlies and substantially conceals a portion of said structure when the door is closed, of a sealing element car ried by said portion of said structure and being expansible and collapsible under the influence of fluid pressure, said element being disposed to be engaged by said portion of the door when the door is closed and when expanded to form a seal between said portions, valve means carried by said structure and disposed to control the application of fluid pressure to said element, and operating means for said valve means comprising a plunger disposed to project outwardly through said portion of said structure, said plunger being disposed to be engaged and moved by said portion of the door when the door is closed, to thereby actuate the valve means and being substantially concealed between said portions when the door is closed.

13. The combination with a door member and an associated member defining a door opening, of a sealing element carried by one of said members and being expansible and collapsible under the influence of fluid pressure, said element being disposed when expanded to form a seal between said members, valve means carried by one oi said members and disposed to control the application of fluid pressure to said element, and means for controlling said valve means comprising a plunger disposed within the body of said element, and disposed to be actuated by the pressure of said other member against said element when the door is closed.

14. The combination with a door member and an associated member defining a door-opening, said door member having a portion which overlies and substantially conceals a portion of the other member when the door is closed, of a sealing element carried by one of said members and being expansible and collapsible under the influence of fluid pressure, said element being disposed when expanded to form a seal between said members, valve means carried. by one of said members and disposed to control the application of fluid pressure to said element, and operating means for said valve means comprising a plunger disposed to project outwardly through said portion of said last mentioned one of said members, latch means for retaining said door in the closed position and having a portion disposed to engage and operate said plunger when the door is closed.

15. The combination with a door and an associated member defining a door opening, a latching mechanism for said door, of an inflatable tubular seal extending around said door and door opening and interposed therebetween, valve means for forming a connection between the seal and a source of fluid pressure for inflating the seal, and an actuator for said valve means arranged for actuation with but prior to actuation of said latching mechanism under at least certain conditions of operation of said latching mechanism.

ROLLO MARPLE. MAX ECK.

I of izhe'above numbered patent requiring CE RTIFiCATE or CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,301,965. I November 17, 191;2.

ROI-L0 MARPLE, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that-error appears in the printed speeificatiori 'cbrrect'ion as follows: Page 2;, first column, line '58, for "valve" 'read -yalue" page 5, second column, 'line 2, .claim 'for "member definin a door and an associated door read --d'oor arid an a es ocia tef i member defining a door--; and that the said Letters "Bate t should be read with. this cbrrectio'n therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office Signedand sealed this 16th day of March, A. 1 1915.

(Seal) j Henry Van .Arsdal'e,

Acting Commissioner of Patents 

